Vanity and compact case and the like



. Patented Sept. I.

oFFlcE.

WILLIAM s'ra'auss," or New ironx, N. x.

VANITY AND COMPACT CASE ANQD THE LIKE.

Application filed February .My invention relates to the classof con or other mechanisms. 7

The characteristics and advantages of the tainers or cases, having hinged lids, and intended for use principally by women as portable cosmetic containers, usually called compactor vanity cases, or for other purposes.

A leading object of theinvention 1s to provide a structure which permits the cases to be made with a great variety of outer coverings or finishes, of attractive and decorative appearance, and at the same time provide a hinge mechanism suitable for these containers, which is entirely concealed when the lid is closed.

It is necessary in most cases, for manufacturing economy and in order to provlde the necessary strength and stiffness of the bottom and lid structure with a moderate weight, to make the framework, or base parts of these body and lid sections, of pressed metal; and the object'of the invention, more particularly stated, is to provide a foundation structure of sheet metal which is adapted for exterior covering with nonmetallic, fiexiblesheet material of various kinds such as textilefabrics, leather, imitation leather, and other flexible sheet materials or-composi'tions." The metal parts and the coverings are further mutually designed or arranged so that in preferred examples the metal parts are entirely covered and concealed from view when'the' case is closed.

An important object of the invention, in-

cidental to those just stated, is-to provide a structure in which the coverings or surface finishes may easily be varied, and for' example," the covering fabric or other sheet material may be -matched or harmonized with particular dresses or costumes, and the surface finishes of'ditferent parts of the container may, moreover, be made in two or more difierent contrasting colors, materials or designs. v

A further important object is to provide a structure or arrangement of parts which admits' of economically forming or shaping the. cover material upon and about, andsecuring it to the metal-bodies or bases of the respective bottom and lid, or finishing ring sections, by the use of-suitable dies,

invention are furthersufliciently explained in connection with the following .detail description of the accompanying drawing,

' which shows one'representative embodiment in, 1926. Serialm. an".

of the invention. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that many variations maybe made, and I' contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope of the appended claims. In the drawings: Fig. l is a front elevation of a case embodying the invention in one form, with the 11d open, and with some parts in section.

Flg. 2 is a vertical section, enlarged, at

2 2., ig. .10 v v Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with the lid close and with some parts broken away or sectioned.

Fig. 4 shows certain of the metal lid part-s ready for assembly. r

Fig. 5 shows certain of the bottom parts and also a finishing ring, ready for coverin'% and assembly.

1g.-6 1s a fragmentary detail, in, section,

of a -modi.fied construction.

- Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another modification.

Y. The metal frame or body of the container, as here specifically embodied in a compact case, comprises the bottom base member 1 and the lid base member 2, each of which is formed from a. sheet metal disc pressed in shallow. dished form. The bottom member has a peripheral shallow lip 3 joined to rial, 5 and 6 respectively. Specifically, as

shown, this is woven fabric of any desired color and decorative characteristics, but otherwise maybe leather, imitation leather,-

the main portion by a fillet or rounded foror other suitable sheet material, usually nonmetallic. The cover material is cut in cir-' cular form, and by the use of suitable dies and mechanism is smoothly bent and formed over the main and outer rim contours of the body portions 1 and 2, and around the edges of the rims, and overlapped on the inner faces of the rims. There may be one or more layersof cover material. In the pres-'- ent example, the outer layers5 and 6, which of the container,.are superposed upon inner layers 01'' sheets 7 and 8, respectively, which may be in the nature of adding or lining materials, such as cotton fabric of the desired thickness, softness andtextur-e, or other suitdetermine the outer finish and appearance able material. The single or double covering material is arranged on a suitable die, the formed metal shell orbody is placed upon it, and an upper die then acts upon the shell and the material to form it smoothly over the broad face of the shell and turn it over the outerv surface and edge of the lip and lap it upon the inner face of the lip, ready for retention either by an inner retaining member or form or an outer or finishing ring 25, referred to below. When a coveredfinishing ring is .used the single or double covering material is applied to it by similar die operations and the reinturned margin of the cover materials 4: orv

5 is retained by the lip 15 of the retainer and also by inner lip of the finishing ring, and at the same time the inner margin of the cover fabric or fabrics folded about the inner edge of the covered bottom section. The operation of covering the lid section is similar, except that it is not necessary in this case to employ a finishing ring, and the overlapped cover material is retained by the conical rim or lip 21 of a plate 20 ,(referred to below), which is sprung into position by the dies and then firmly holds the material, as clearly-shown in Fig. 2.

The bottom cover material is secured in position by a retainer or inner box form 10, which is preferably, as shown in the general form of a sheet-metal, stepped annulus, including concentric cylindrical portions 11 and 12 joined by a fiat annular web 13. The outer part of the cylinder 12 is continued to form an approximately conical outer wall 14 terminating with a curve or fillet and a lip 15, which is normally in the form of a shallow cylinder, or slightly conical. After the metal bottom member 1 has been covered in any of the ways described, the cover is secured by forcing the compact form into osition, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon t e lip 15 yields inward and then resiliently presses outward against the inturned edge or edges of'the respective cover materials, and holds these edges or margins against the inner contour of the li 3.

The lid cover material is retained by a sheet metal disc 20 which has a conical periphery 21. This disc may serve also, as later explained, as a mirror base, and a hinge-connecting or supporting member. The disc is sprung into position as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the marginal part of the rim 21 engages the inturne margins of the single or double cover material and holds these mar ins and the entire cover firmly and smoot ly in position on the metal body member 2.

When desired, a finishing ring in the general form of a concave annulus 25 of pressed sheet metal, may be applied about the periphery of the covered bottom section 1. This finishing ring may be covered or uncovered. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, this ring has an outer portion 26 in the form of a slightly convex cylinder, an approximately flat upper portion or web 27, and inward thereof, an incurved lip 28. When uncovered, the finishing ring is sprung into position, as shown in Fig. 6, with the outer nearly cylindrical portion overlying the periphery of thecovered bottom section 1, and with the lip 28 overlying the periphery of the covered rim 3, and inwardly overlapping the covering material thereon, and also in engagement with the outer wall portion 14 of the compact form 10.

As shown in Fig. 2, this finishing ring may be coveredin any of the ways described,

' with relation to the. bottom and lid members 1 and 2, thatis, either with a single layer or cover material 30, or a double layer consisting of the outer or finishing layer 20 and an inner-lining or padding layer 31,

these flexible cover sheets being applied,

formed and overlapped about the metal ring in a manner clearly explained by the drawing.

The outer orfinishing cover materials,

25 is covered, this covering material may be the same as, or in harmony with, the outer cover of eitiier body or lid section or both of them, or it may be still another contrasting-color or of a different material, to produce diiferent desirable decorative effects. When the finishing ring 25 is unllll covered, as in Fig. 6, it produces a different contrasting effect, since it is of polished or otherwise finished metal of gold, sllver or other desired metallic color, in contrast with the (usually) non-metallic appearance of the cover sheets 5 and 6.

Fig. 7 shows that the outer or finishing ring may be dispensed with if desired, with- It is important, as stated early above, in

connection with other features of the invention, to provide a suitable hinge which will permit the proper, easy and full opening of the lid, to or beyond substantially upright position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and will also permit easy and quick closing of the lid and proper centered location'of it 1 and which will furthermore be ent1relyconcealed from view when the container is closed, so that the entire outer finish will consist. of the cover sheets, such as 5 and '6,

or sometimes including the covered or un-' covered finishing ring In other words, the exterior of the closed containerv presents a smooth,-unbroken contour, and thehinge is entirely concealed from view.

. To this end, in the present specific example, a slot 40 is cut in the walls-12 and 14 of'the compact form, and the eye 41 ofa hinge strip 42 of 'flat shell metal is inserted in this slot and thewalls 13 and 14 against their connecting '46 in the present example, serves also as a mirror frame or base, as also later explained, but, otherwise it may be provided in suit able form merely for retaining the hinge strip. The "end of the strip opposite the eye is formed into a. hook 47 w lch passes through a slot 48" indisc 20, and by engagement with the lower edge 49 of this slot limits the outward slidin movement of the entire lid structure wit relation tothe hinge stri I When t e lid is'opened the hinge strip an obvious way, and at the same time by contact of the lid structurewith the adjacent portion of the bottom structure or of stopped .s

the finishing ring 25, the disc 20 and the holding plate are caused to slide outward u on the hinge strip, so, that free opening 0? the lid is obtained without any strain upon the parts;

The lid may be raised to right-angular 1n Fig. .2, or moved even farther, until lid, to give propernseof the-mirror usually 'ro'per entry of inner lid y t parts and especia e mirror, into roper portions of the bottom vstructure, an espefieiallylheepp r ylindrical rtion 12 of the compact formT Thedescri ed arrangementivotally secured by a pin 43, which fexten s at each end between integral rounded. formation 12", and may, if necessary or desirable, be secured in any pivots by means of'it's eye on the pm 43 inengagement of hook 47' with lot 48. This arrangement pro-f vi es, not.merely for full opening of the, v

'- each of saidportions including a dishe'd sheet -terial."

also provides for complete concealment of face of the lid structure, and this may be done in any convenient way. In thepresent specific example, the plate 46 above referred to, which acts as a hinge strip retainer, is

i also arranged as a mirror base and for that purpose has a c lindrical lip 50 to embrace the periphery of a mirror glass 51, which is retained by a ring or bezel 5 2. Themirror or-its base 46 may be secured to locking disc 20 in any known or suitable way. In the present example, disc 20 has a corresponding plurality of prongs 56, correspondingly spaced, which are inserted in'the holes and clinched at the opposite face of disc 20.

When the lid is closed, the mirror is accommodated in the outer or cylindrical portion 12 of the compact form or ring, and is easily guided to its proper location therein by the sliding hinge action above referred to.

A compact and powder pad, or other desirable toilet accessories, may be, placed in the lower or-inner compartment, defined by the cylindrical portion 11 of retainer 10, against the inner face of the body shell 1. These cosmetics or appliances are usually removable and are omitted in the drawings for the sake of illustrative clearness, While I have illustrated and described the invention as here specifically embodied in a case for compacts or \similar toilet ma-- terials and appurtenances, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to,

such uses, nor is the general shape or outlineof the container limited to a circular or oval form. The principles of the invent on as here explained may be adapted to contain ers-intended for other purposes and which have generally oblong or other shapes, and in such cases the general former outline of the bottom and cover bodies, and the re- -tainers, such as 10 and 20, will be modified accordingly. Evidently therefore,.it is not essential that these parts shall be, annular or circular, as above described for substan: tially round containers.

I claim;

bodyj'of substantial stifiness covered with a difierent flexible Isheet material overla ping the edge of the body, the stated parts eing so constructed and arranged that when the li-d'is closed, the hinge structure is enclosed and concealed, and the entire visible surface ofthe container consists of said cover ma- -2.,,A container comprising a bottom section and 'a-lidsection, each including a body of stiff sheet material in; dishtd form with 1. A container comprising a' bottom pork a peripheral lip, and afcover of flexible sheet material different from the body, overlying the exterior surfaces of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon the inner face thereof, and a retainer of sheet material of substantial stiffness inserted in the body and holding the inturn-cd margin of the cover material against the inner face of the lip, and a hinge connection between the body and lid sections.

A case or container comprising a bottom section and a lid section, each including a body of stiff sheet material in dished form with a peripheral lip, and a cover of flexible sheet material different from the body, overlying the exterior surface of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon the inner face thereof, and a retainer of sheet material of substantial stiffness inserted in the body and holding the inturned margin of the cover material against the inner face of the lip, and a sliding hinge connection between the body and lid sections and arranged to be cntirelyconccaled when the lid is closed, and also arranged by sliding action to permit full opening of the lid' and full closing thereof in centered relation to the bottom section. at. A vanity or compact case comprising a. bottom section anda lid section, each including a body of stiff sheet material in dished form with a peripheral lip, and a cover of flexible sheet material different from the body, overlying the exterior surface of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon the inner.

facethereof, and a retainer of sheet material of substantial stiffness inserted in the body and holding the inturned margin of the cover material against the inner face of the lip, and a hinge connection between the body and lid sections and arranged to be entirely concealed when the lid is closed, the bottom section retainer being of substantially stepped formation to provide an inner compact or puif compartment.

A vanity or compact case comprising a bottom section and a lid section, each including a body of stifi sheet material in dished form with a peripheral lip, and a cover of flexible sheet material 'difi'erent from the body, overlying the exterior surface of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon the inner face thereof, and an annular retainer of sheet materlal of substantial stiffness insented in the body and holding the inturnedbottom section and a lidsection, each includ-.

ing a body of stiff sheet material in dished form with a peripheral hp, and a cover of flexible sheet material different from the body, overlying the exterior surface of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon the inner face thereof, and an annular retainer of sheet material of substantial stiffness inserted in the body and holding the intu'rned margin of the cover material against the inner face of the lip, and a hinge connection between the body and lid sections and arranged to be entirely concealed when the lid is closed, the bottom section retainer being of substantially stepped formation to provide an inner compact or pufl' compartment, and a mirror securedto the inner face of the lid structure and protruding therefrom and accommodated within an outer portion of the stepped bottom section retainer.

7. A container of the class described, comprising a bottom portion and a lid portion connected, each of said portions including a dished sheet body'of substantial stiffness covered with a different flexible sheet material overlapping the edge of the body, the stated parts being so constructed and arranged that when the lid is closed, the hinge structure is enclosed and concealed, and the entire visible surface of the container consists of said cover material, and a finishing ring of sheet material in generally annular, dished formation and of substantial stiffness, overlying the edge and peripheral por- -tioi1s"of the bottom portion.

8. A container of the class described, comprising a bottom portion and a lid portion connected, each of said portions including a dished sheet body of substantial stiffness covered with a different flexible sheet material overlapping the edge of the body, the stated parts being so constructed and arranged that when the lid is closed, the hinge structure is enclosed and concealed, and the entire visible surface of the container consists of said cover material, and a finishing ring of sheet material in generally annular, dished formation and of substantial stiffness, overlying the edge and peripheral portions of the bottom portion, said finishing ring being externally covered with a difierent flexible sheet material which overlaps its edges.

9. A container of the class described, comprising a bottom portion and a lid portion hingcdly connected thereto, each of said portions including a dished sheet metal body of substantial stiffness covered with a fibrous] sheet material overlapping the edge of the body. the stated parts being so constructed and arranged that when the lid '-is'closed, the hinge structure is enclosed and concealed and the entire visible surface of the container consists of said cover material.

10. A container or case comprising a bottom section and a lid section, each including a body of sheet metal in dished form with a peripheral lip, and a cover of fabric overlying the exterior surface of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon the inner surface thereof, and. a retainer of sheet material of substantial stiffness inserted in the body andholding the inturned margin of the cover material against the inner surface of the lip, and a hinge connection between the body and the lid-sections.

'11. A container of the classdescribed, comprising a bottom portion and a lid portion hingedly connected thereto, each of said portions including a dished sheet'metal body of substantial stiffness covered with a different flexible sheet material overlapping the edge of the body, the stated parts being so constructed and arranged that when the lid isclosed, the hinge structure is enclosed and concealed and the entirevisib'le surface of the container consists of said cover mate-' substantial stiffness, overlying the edge and peripheral portion of the bottom section.

12. A container of the class described, comprising a bottom portion and a lid por tion hingedly connected thereto, each of said portions including a dished sheet metal body of substantial stiffness covered with a different flexible sheet material overlapping the edge of the body, the stated parts'being so constructed and, arranged that when the lid is closed, the hinge structure-is enclosed and concealed and the entire vis'i'ble surface of' the container consists-of said cover material, and a finishing ring of sheet met-a1 in generally annular dished formation and of substantial stifl'ness, overlying the edge and.

'tom section and a lid section, each 111Cl11d1 g a body of sheet metal in dished form with peripheral portion of the bottom section, said finishing ring being externally covered witha flexible sheet material which overlaps its edges.

13. A vanity or compact case comprising a bottom base and a lid base, each of sheet metal in dished formation and covered with adifierent flexible sheet material, and for .each said base" an annular inner'retainer for the cover material, a hinge strip pivotally connected to the bottom retainer and slidably fitting in a guide in the lid retainer, the

relation to the lid retainer to permit full opening, and when the lid is closed the slid-- mg movement of the hinge is reversed to permit full closing and partial telescoping of the lid str1- cture in relation to the bottom structure.

14. A vanity or compact case comprising a bottom base and a lid base, each of sheet metal in dished formation and covered with a different flexible sheet material, and for each said base an annular inner retainer for the cover material, a hinge strip pivotally ing movement of the hinge is reversed to v permit full closingand partial telescoping of the lid structure in relation to the bottom structure, the hinge structure being entirely enclosed and concealed when the lid is closed.

15. A container comprising a bottom section and a lid section, each including a body of stiff sheet material'in dished form with a peripheral lip, and a cover of flexible sheet material difierent from the body, overlying the exterior surface of the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip. and upon the inner face thereof, and a retainer of sheet material of substantial stiffness inserted in the body and holding the inturned margin of thecover material against the inner face of the lip, and a hinge connection between the body and lid section and arranged tobe entirely concealed when the lid is closed.

16. A container or case comprising a bota peripheral lip, and a cover of fabric overlying the exterior surface of'the body and lip and overlapped about the edge of the lip and upon' the inner surface thereof, and aretainer of sheet material of substantial stiflness inserted in the body and holding the inturned margin of the cover material against the inner surface of the lip, and a hinge connection between the body and 11d sections and arranged to be entirely concealed when the lid is closed.

Signedat New York city, in the county of New York and State of New YOIk lJhIS 3rd day of February A.'D. 1926.

- WILLIAM STRAUSS. 

